News

At only 22 years of age Emma Henshall is making her mark on the world circus stage. She recently won the Gold Medal for her solo trapeze act at the 30th Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain (Worldwide Festival of the Circus of Tomorrow).

She also took out The President’s Award, the Franco Dragone Entertainment Group Award and The Moulin Rouge Award at the prestigious festival.

Emma has performed professionally since graduating from the National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) in 2006 where she majored in Swinging Trapeze and Contortion. In the same year she was an aerial ballerina in the Commonwealth Games’ Opening and Closing Ceremonies in Melbourne.

Emma said she was extremely proud to be an Australian competing on the world stage and representing her country. She is passionate about her career and life and said that trapeze represents many things for her. “Trapeze is an opportunity to fly, to simultaneously feel freedom and control, because trapeze is a technique as well as an art form.”

The solo trapeze act was created by Victor Fomin, Elena Fomin and mentor Shana Carroll. Emma said she owed them a great deal as well being inspired by her trainers at NICA. The degree provided a solid foundation and she gained further assistance through scholarships from the Ian Potter Foundation and the Layne Beachley Grant from the Aim For the Stars Foundation.

Pamela Creed, NICA Director and CEO congratulated Emma on being chosen to participate in this invitation-only event.

“Emma’s unique combination of trapeze and contortion is highly original in Circus Arts. At NICA she had the benefit of learning from trainers from Russia, France, China and Australia. We are all extremely proud of her, especially her trainers, Olga Sidorova, Helene Embling, Jing Jing Xue and Mathew Daniels.”

Based at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, NICA is the only circus training institution of its kind in Australia. Each year the course attracts hundreds of applicants from overseas and every state in Australia for a maximum of 25 student places in the three-year Bachelor of Circus Arts degree.

“Emma has achieved this level of artistry by being extremely driven as well as extremely talented,” trainer Helene Embling said. “She has furthered what she learned at NICA by going on to study with Victor Fomin, the industry’s most respected aerial trainer.”

“I hope that my participation in this prestigious festival will create an awareness of Australian circus arts, both within Australia and internationally. I’d like to think that it sends a message that anyone can achieve their dream and represent their country in their chosen field,” Emma said.

ends

Media contact: Maria Rizzo mtrizzo@gmail.com | 0410 679 694
www.nica.com.au

9.02.2009

 |